Singapore Lights-Up With Five Months Of Festivals
SINGAPORE, August 9, 2005. From September to January, the island of Singapore lights up with Chinese lanterns, tiny fairy lights and multi-coloured displays as it celebrates an array of festivals drawn from the traditions of its five ethnic groups, Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Eurasian.
The Mid Autumn Mooncake Festival, Chinatown, 18 - 28 September 2005
The Mid-Autumn Festival, rich in history and legend, is a time for celebrating the harvest of the year. It is held when the moon's orbit is at its lowest angle to the horizon, making it appear brighter and larger than at any other time of the year. The word 'circle' ("yuan"), the shape of the moon, is synonymous to the word 'unity' in Chinese and the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to come together and eat the traditional mooncake, symbolising the "circle of happiness". Mooncakes are traditionally filled with lotus, melon seed and red bean paste although today they are filled with all kinds of ingredients from ice cream to durian.
Chinatown comes to life with stunning street light-ups and bazaar stalls selling mooncakes and other festive delights. A must-see is the Chinese Gardens at night, decorated with hundreds of glowing lanterns and daily activities include the "Rise of the Dragon", a lantern measuring almost 4,000 feet in length.
The Promenade is transformed into a fairyland of twinkling lights whilst the Singapore River becomes a floating concert hall holding nightly performances with special themes. Why not indulge in scrumptious moon-cake with wine and sake whilst relaxing to the captivating sound of oriental and modern jazz performances under the stars?
Deepavali, Little India, October
A tenth of Singapore's population is Indian, many of whom are Hindu. One of the major dates on their calendar is the Hindu Festival of Lights, or Deepavali. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness - hence the symbolic lighting of hundreds of tiny oil lanterns which are believed to guide the souls of departed relatives on their journey to the next world. The thriving ethnic district of Little India is the scene of the beautiful Deepavali light-up where you will find yourself mesmerised by cultural performances and the exotic perfumes of spices, flowers and sweets.
Theemidhi Festival, "Walking over fire", November
Witness a breathtaking display of courage, endurance and faith as devotees walk across a bed of burning coals in Singapore's oldest Hindu temple. Participants fast and pray for months in preparation for the fire-walking ceremony which honours the Goddess Draupadi who, legend has it, walked barefoot over hot coals to prove her innocence and fidelity.
Hari Raya Puasa, Geylang Serai District, November
Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan, the fasting month of the Muslim community. A month-long street light-up and lively night-time bazaar, at which fantastic bargains from handicrafts, textiles and fashions can be picked up, laminate the Geylang Serai district in preparation for Hari Raya or the "day of celebration".
Christmas in the Tropics, December
Christmas in Singapore is unforgettable. Every year, it celebrates with the longest and most spectacular light-up in the world, from 12 November to the beginning of January. The whole city finds itself in a celebratory mood with spectacular feasts, concerts and count-down parties. During the last two weeks of November, buskers line Orchard Road, Singapore's premier shopping street, providing free festive performances while shoppers search for the perfect Christmas gifts.
Chinese New Year - Asia's Greatest Street Parade, January
Chinese New Year is the biggest festival in Singapore. Symbolised by rich red decorations and age-old traditions such as the reunion dinner, fifteen days of celebration brings together the Chinese and non-Chinese in a spirit of togetherness. One of the key highlights of the festival is the Singapore River Hongbao. The marina promenade is transformed into a Chinese cultural village where visitors can look forward to an amazing line-up of performances, festivities and activities whilst learning about Chinese culture. A fitting finale to the celebrations is the Chingay Parade of Dreams. With technicolour floats, lavishly costumed performers, rhythmic music and thousands of spectators, there's little wonder why it is considered Asia's grandest street and floats parade.
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